Vanguard SBH-300 and SBH-250 Ballhead Review |
| Friday, 11 December 2009 14:47 | ||||||||||||||
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Vanguard SB100 and 300 ballheads bring quality high spec ballheads into an affordable sphere, with features and build only found on expensive niche products until now. If you are a considering an upgrade and the choice seems overwhelming, then start by considering the Vanguard range as you are in for some surprises.
The Vanguard SBH-250 and SBH-300 Ball Head Review
As a long term user of ball heads, ever since I kicked a Manfrotto carbon fibre and 3way head attached down a waterfall, I must admit I find it difficult to consider any other product than the one I bought three years ago, the Kirk BH-1. Although this love is now tested regularly as airport scanners misconstrue its almost military construction as a possible explosive, I have dropped it off ledges, swung it into rocks and even head butted it (believe me you don't want to do that!) and still it performs flawlessly. When asked to test these tripod heads, the Vanguard SB-250 and SB-300, I was simply convinced that trouncing the bohemoth was not possible. Yet one aspect still keeps me website window shopping - its weight. At a hefty 1kg, I literally always carry my lightweight tripod upside down because of this excessive load, swinging it by the leg (lookout hoodies). I have been happy to compromise with this problem since I bought it, but travelling light on city shoots is now the biggest part of my professional life. I was happy to take these heads onboard for a test, to see if I could be be happy with the lighter SBH-250 ballhead in particular.
Quality Design The first thing that really amazes you on opening the box is the build quality. Having seen other companies like Gitzo and Manfrotto's attempts at ballheads, I was never massively convinced. The Gitzo's in particular are quirky looking and never appealed at all. When choosing the BH1 three years ago, all the Manfrotto's and Gitzo's seemed questionable and to be honest so I was not expecting too much from the Vanguard range. Again, how wrong I was.
Feel and Design - The first thing to really grab you as you take either tripods out of the box is the balance and weight. Both feel extremely solid and very familiar to what I know already. The design is classic Arca Swiss - a plate mounting on the top of a substantial ball with a generous column, the weak point in many balheads. The paint feels textured and therefore non slip, which gives confidence on contact. Controls - The operation is beautiful and precise. Three classic controls - one large control locks the ball in place, the second tensions the ball, giving an increase smooth dampened operation. The third smaller knob locks the lateral turn, left to right. All feel confident and tighten smoothly to the biting point. Plate - The tripod plate is secured with another control knob and an additional orange safety lock triggers when the plate slides into place. The plates have a rubber surface contact point so they don't scratch your beloved SLR, but thankfully this is not excessive. Why designers do not sort this problem out is beyond me. Spirit Bubbles - The tripod also has two inbuilt levels on each side plate mount. This feels far more precise when setting up a levelled camera than the conventional bubble level method.
Unbelivable Price Ok, now lets look at it subjectively - none of this is a revolution. Literally all tripod heads, whether three way or ballheads, have these features and functions. It is essentially a clone, but this is the point that sets it apart, its a bloody good clone and its CHEAPER than anything else that boasts the same spec and design on the market (that I am aware of). I was completely taken back when I realised that the SBH-300 wasn't touching £300, nor £250, it was actually an unbelievable £119. That's a whopping £220 cheaper than a new Kirk BH1. If only it had been around at the time... The SBH-250 also astonishes, with a street price of around £90 and simply nothing of this quality and cost springs to mind. Again its direct competitors are the Manfrotto and Gitzo, both which just cant compete for build vs price, the Markin Q Ball range (£220+, Euro purchase only as no UK distributors) and the Kirk BH-3 (£245)
Yet I wont buy either... Does that surprise you? Well here's why - there's an Arca Swiss mount version on the way. I have been a long time user of L brackets ever since my first EOS5D. The speed of attachment, the 'metal-on-metal' approach (vibration is non existent), keeping the weight central over the tripod at all times and creative approach. I can make shifted panos using tilt / shift lenses by sliding the camera left and right. All these reasons tie me creatively to this platform and I am extremely happy with it.
The Future is L shaped Yet again Vanguard will be making a huge step into a niche market that photographers view as far too exclusive. Not only are all Arca Swiss mount tripod heads limited purchases in the UK, (with Kirk being the only company that sells these products in Britain through Warehouse Express) they are all ludicrously pricy. Markin only sell from Europe (we all love the Euro don't we) and Really Right Stuff, the last word in L Brackets, do no sell in the UK, meaning import duty, VAT and again excessive cost. If Vanguard can produce a product of this calibre with Arca Swiss mounts, the strangle hold will be released and landscape photographers can enjoy L Brackets without the crushing expense. Highly Recommended. Vanguard World Website
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Hits: 3045 Trackback(0)TrackBack URI for this entryComments (9)Subscribe to this comment's feed...
Hi David
See the Vanguard heads are they only compatible with Vanguard tripods?
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16, Dec, 2009
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No not in the slightest, they can be used with literally any tripod legs as they also have an adapter to mount onto any thread, very well thought out. The only drawback is losing the adapter, which can become unscrewed as the ballhead is taken off.
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16, Dec, 2009
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Thanks for the great review David. could you clarify your discussion fo the new Arca Swiss mount coming? Is this a Vangard/Arca project or is arca coming out with something new using a L bracket? Confusing. BTW thanks much for the tutorial on multi exposure used on your seascapes. wonderful stuff.
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11, Jan, 2010
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David,
Upon your recommendation, I purchased a Vanguard Alta Pro 283 CT and SBH-300 ball head. I used them this weekend and they seem to be everything you said they would. Great price too!
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01, Feb, 2010
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Thats really great to hear Joe. I enjoy using them and will be taking them both on my trips to Berlin and the Canadian Rockies. It's certainly a quality product.
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01, Feb, 2010
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Thanks for your review on the strength of which I bought a SBH-300 online for £90 delivered. Very impressive piece of kit in terms of its operation and robustness. (Splendid blog too).
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25, Feb, 2010
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Some Dude With a Camera
Appreciate your review, just as soon as I collect the money from an order I am fulfilling I will have the dosh to get the SBH 300 to go on my Induro Legs. Hoping this will give me the control and perspectives I want on my next foray to some slot canyons in South Central Utah.
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08, Mar, 2010
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I dont think you will be dissapointed Lloyd. I have been very impressed with the SBH300, its very solid and supports some very heavy weight cameras.
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09, Mar, 2010
Creep with SBH-100
OK, I bought the Vanguard SBH-100 ballhead and have used it for over two years now. It's always been serviceable, however, since day one, there has been alittle creep. I compose the frame then tighten. As soon as I let go, the ball creeps alittle. Not too much, but enough that I have to recompose or predict the creep and compose accordingly. For the money, it's great. If you hate creep, this isn't for you. Lately, I've been looking to replace it. Most likely going to the Manfrotto 468MGRC4.
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16, Mar, 2010
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For landscape photographers tripod head is personal preference, but if you havent yet tried shooting with a ballhead then its time to reconsider.
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